Being “Uncles and Aunties” currently, we’re actually in the middle age. Pun-intentionally, we’re “in-between” the age of old-school propriety and the generation of modern “notoriety”. We balance yesteryears’ simplicity and the complexity of today’s technological breakthrough. Yet, mostly among the young ones as we traverse “middle age”, they seem to deem it as midlife crisis. Apparently, the “psychological crossroad” though is the variability of one’s age group as to where they actually belong to, considering that there are varying generation classifications, age-wise.
It’s within that turning point along a clash between getting pulled by one’s youth and being pushed to full maturity. Outwardly a case of “contend or content”.
These social groupings isn’t any different from being in the middle age as it depends on life expectancy. If we are to base it on the current Filipinos’ average life expectancy rate being at around the age of 68, middle age I’d say is around 35 to 55 as compared to that of Wikipedia’s general definition to be around 45 to 65. We might as well agree then that it’s 35 to 65 if only to cover a safer assumption (Regardless, I’m in either category lol; although for Baguio, given our laidback disposition and lifestyle, I suppose we have a longer life expectancy.)
For the middle aged group however, there’s no point in arguing if it’s indeed some sort of a midlife crisis as we’re more mature than that to even refute and justify it to be anything other than an emotional critical point. Being “in the middle” after all is serving to be a balancing factor.
True enough, we’re old enough to have lived through both worlds to know better... and it’s adequate enough to prove them otherwise. A weighty head start in fact if we are to likely reason out “Papunta ka pa lang, pabalik na ako” just as how such dictum was likewise used by our predecessors addressed to us back then. We’ve experienced the best (and probably the not so good part) of both worlds where we’d most likely get-by regardless of time. Imagine today’s generation if they could survive “budget” over gadget? Yet, if they’ve been accustomed to it like how we did, they’d probably be as flexible and they’d be able to adapt; I’d at least openly give them that.
We become the glue that makes that connection. I believe that we’re the “Generation X” for a binding reason. Through us, we “X-pound and X-plicate an X-cceptable X-planation” for that of Generation Y and iGeneration’s “Whys and i’s”. We X-tend those excuses to “Why not” and “We instead of I”... Possibly a “pretXt” as our fleXibility makes us the pre-Millennials to their Millennial and Post Millennial orientation as much as we are post-Baby Boomers (“Boomer’s Baby”). We’re X-marked as the “middle child”.
It is our generation that is X-pected to X-ude rationality as we absorb the “compartmental resistance” like the “magnetic force” that we become to their magnets’ opposite poles. Yes, there is that “interconnection”... more of composite than opposite actually. Seemingly, we become the parents of our children we introduce to their grandparents (and vice versa); that kind of connection... It’s our role to balance that and “make both ends meet”. Thus, let us refrain from focusing on the pride-inducing differences but rather embrace the correlation. We have our respective eras.
By “respective”, I mean we could apply the key word there to be “respect”. While respect is something earned and not demanded, we earn it by likewise showing it. For instance in looking back at our time (the good ol’ days) vis-Ã -vis with that of their’s, let us rather integrate the “purposeful comparison” in lieu of an “egocentric difference”. Similarly, let us not assume as to who or what’s better considering we all have a role to play along the way that of which are all intermingled in a way.
We have to be cautious as well as conscious on what our children turn out to be notwithstanding the difference in time and environs because it’s somehow a reflection of our guidance.
That’s what makes “Uncles and Aunties of Baguio” different. With that “customary Baguio term for proper courtesy”, we’re all related/connected with Baguio as our common denominator. For us Gen X, the current Uncles and Aunties, we owe it to our “Uncles and Aunties” (the Baby Boomers) that kind of connection we are to pass on to the next generation of Uncles and Aunties.
Baguio is (or shall I say was) one household so to speak. If we are to describe what we were as to how they say it now, we were “In a Relationship”. We thrived in being passive of positivities yet outwardly impassive of the opposing thing with due civility to whom/where courtesy was due while giving “affinity” considerable thought. Our relationship now seems "It's Complicated".
What happened? Where did it go?
Take note of (that lost) respect:
Again, what happened to us?
Back then, every body KNEW everybody, thus “Uncles and Aunties of Baguio” aims to relive or hopefully regain that lost “relationship” among us/those lost ties between us. Because despite of the “naivety” on the ever-changing technological innovations, the grey hair, the back pains, the rheumatism and all, we can still make a difference. And we can (re)start by reconnecting and injecting good vibes through positivity and happiness instead. “Uncles and Aunties of Baguio” are after all “Uncle-lit at Auntie-bay”. We’re here for that... It's "Uncle" for unity "Auntie" relive happy memories.
Mabuhay po tayong lahat!
It’s within that turning point along a clash between getting pulled by one’s youth and being pushed to full maturity. Outwardly a case of “contend or content”.
These social groupings isn’t any different from being in the middle age as it depends on life expectancy. If we are to base it on the current Filipinos’ average life expectancy rate being at around the age of 68, middle age I’d say is around 35 to 55 as compared to that of Wikipedia’s general definition to be around 45 to 65. We might as well agree then that it’s 35 to 65 if only to cover a safer assumption (Regardless, I’m in either category lol; although for Baguio, given our laidback disposition and lifestyle, I suppose we have a longer life expectancy.)
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| from careerplanner.com |
For the middle aged group however, there’s no point in arguing if it’s indeed some sort of a midlife crisis as we’re more mature than that to even refute and justify it to be anything other than an emotional critical point. Being “in the middle” after all is serving to be a balancing factor.
True enough, we’re old enough to have lived through both worlds to know better... and it’s adequate enough to prove them otherwise. A weighty head start in fact if we are to likely reason out “Papunta ka pa lang, pabalik na ako” just as how such dictum was likewise used by our predecessors addressed to us back then. We’ve experienced the best (and probably the not so good part) of both worlds where we’d most likely get-by regardless of time. Imagine today’s generation if they could survive “budget” over gadget? Yet, if they’ve been accustomed to it like how we did, they’d probably be as flexible and they’d be able to adapt; I’d at least openly give them that.
We become the glue that makes that connection. I believe that we’re the “Generation X” for a binding reason. Through us, we “X-pound and X-plicate an X-cceptable X-planation” for that of Generation Y and iGeneration’s “Whys and i’s”. We X-tend those excuses to “Why not” and “We instead of I”... Possibly a “pretXt” as our fleXibility makes us the pre-Millennials to their Millennial and Post Millennial orientation as much as we are post-Baby Boomers (“Boomer’s Baby”). We’re X-marked as the “middle child”.
It is our generation that is X-pected to X-ude rationality as we absorb the “compartmental resistance” like the “magnetic force” that we become to their magnets’ opposite poles. Yes, there is that “interconnection”... more of composite than opposite actually. Seemingly, we become the parents of our children we introduce to their grandparents (and vice versa); that kind of connection... It’s our role to balance that and “make both ends meet”. Thus, let us refrain from focusing on the pride-inducing differences but rather embrace the correlation. We have our respective eras.
By “respective”, I mean we could apply the key word there to be “respect”. While respect is something earned and not demanded, we earn it by likewise showing it. For instance in looking back at our time (the good ol’ days) vis-Ã -vis with that of their’s, let us rather integrate the “purposeful comparison” in lieu of an “egocentric difference”. Similarly, let us not assume as to who or what’s better considering we all have a role to play along the way that of which are all intermingled in a way.
We have to be cautious as well as conscious on what our children turn out to be notwithstanding the difference in time and environs because it’s somehow a reflection of our guidance.
That’s what makes “Uncles and Aunties of Baguio” different. With that “customary Baguio term for proper courtesy”, we’re all related/connected with Baguio as our common denominator. For us Gen X, the current Uncles and Aunties, we owe it to our “Uncles and Aunties” (the Baby Boomers) that kind of connection we are to pass on to the next generation of Uncles and Aunties.
Baguio is (or shall I say was) one household so to speak. If we are to describe what we were as to how they say it now, we were “In a Relationship”. We thrived in being passive of positivities yet outwardly impassive of the opposing thing with due civility to whom/where courtesy was due while giving “affinity” considerable thought. Our relationship now seems "It's Complicated".
What happened? Where did it go?
Take note of (that lost) respect:
- We may be as opinionated then, but we did not resort to bashing or even rallies (shout-out of collision of coalition) as we respected the tradition of the elders’ diplomatic way of addressing issues; we were not “political”. (Now, we abuse self-entitlement partial to our preference without regard for others’ choice and rights.)
- We may have a voice but we know when to “just keep quiet” or just ignore what “should not” bother us as some means to respect our difference in opinion. (Now, we're too sensitive thus there’s that need to “scratch that itchy tongue” by blurting out even uncalled for comment/s and a similarly partial belief...)
- We may be of mixed race, an immigrant or of Cordilleran-lineage and influenced by various factors but it’s what made us well-rounded and respectful of others’ penchant, color, language/mother-tongue and even racial background. (Now, we’ve become overly clannish and “hardcore exclusive” as if we’re the only one that matters disregarding others' contribution and respective style/approach...)
- We may not go gaga over celebrities but it didn’t mean we don’t admire them; we just respected their personal space as much as we respected our Baguio-accustomed “local” decorum. (Now, it’s reasoned out more as a conceited propensity like we’re “a star shining brighter”.)
- We may have valued our simple and casual bearings, but back then, we were sincerely welcoming and respected guests and visitors’ appreciation of our city as a tourist destination. (Now, we generalize tourists as those “unwelcomed ones” we want driven away.)
- These are just a few of the many changes...
Again, what happened to us?
Back then, every body KNEW everybody, thus “Uncles and Aunties of Baguio” aims to relive or hopefully regain that lost “relationship” among us/those lost ties between us. Because despite of the “naivety” on the ever-changing technological innovations, the grey hair, the back pains, the rheumatism and all, we can still make a difference. And we can (re)start by reconnecting and injecting good vibes through positivity and happiness instead. “Uncles and Aunties of Baguio” are after all “Uncle-lit at Auntie-bay”. We’re here for that... It's "Uncle" for unity "Auntie" relive happy memories.
Mabuhay po tayong lahat!
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| as of Dec 17 and counting... |